It was just two years ago that Aston Villa blocked his move to Sheffield Wednesday with owner Tony Xia refusing to sell to a ‘promotion rival’.

A free transfer had been agreed between senior officials from each club, personal terms had been signed off and the medical completed.

Aston Villa defender Joe Bennett

The deal was happening. In Bennett’s mind it was done. He was even pictured in the Hillsborough car-park.

But right at the death, Xia intervened and blocked the move.

His reason was that he didn’t want Villa selling players to clubs who were battling alongside them for promotion.

Yet while Wednesday finished in fourth place and lost in the play-offs in 2016/17, Villa languished in 13th place, ironically on the same amount of points as Cardiff City - the club Bennett was then allowed to join as they were not seen as a threat.

A rather unusual chain of events have followed.

Villa remain in the Championship after losing in the play-off final, Wednesday finished closer to the bottom-three than the top-six and Cardiff are now the surprise outfit preparing for life in the Premier League.

So while it could be argued that Xia was wrong to block Bennett's initial move, he might well have been right about recognising Bennett as a threat.

The 28-year-old was a large part of Cardiff's success last term. He made 38 league appearances as the Bluebirds finished in second place to win promotion.

And just for good measure, the stopper was recently rewarded for his fine performances last term by signing a new deal at the club.

Good things do come to those who wait.

Kit news

Aston Villa have revealed their new kits for the 2018/19 season.

The club this morning shared the first images of the new strips after linking up earlier this summer with LUKE 1977 – a local clothing brand designed by Villa fan Luke Roper – and Fanatics in a deal described as ‘ground-breaking’ by the club.

The home, away and goalkeeper kits were revealed at the same time.

The kits will be available for pre-order on Monday from 11am – and will be on sale from Wednesday July 18 at 9am.

Villa will wear their new kit in their first pre-season friendly fixtures at Kidderminster Harriers and Telford on July 14.

Villa’s iconic colours have often caused confusion amongst manufacturers and senior Villa Park officials have moved to ensure next season’s kit includes a ‘darker shade of claret’.

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All you need to know about Aston Villa now

Villa said in a statement: "The new kits show firm respect to those halcyon early days and you can discover all about that via our site , which brings all those exciting elements together.

"These include William McGregor featuring on the back collar, a nod to the 12 founding members – as well as examples of us listening to supporter sentiment by subtly changing the colour of our claret."

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The home shirt features two different shades of claret in vertical stripes, with a blue trim on the collar and sleeves and with a stripe down the side.

Villa said: "Embedded with the qualities that underpin everything the club does – Passion, Pride and Purpose – the traditional claret home shirt celebrates the rich history of the club.

"Old-school striping with quadruple banded ribbed cuffs and V-neck signify Villa’s position as one of the 12 founding members of William McGregor’s football league 130 years ago. A symbol of McGregor’s famous statue outside Villa Park is featured on the upper back."

(Image: avfc.co.uk)

The away kit takes inspiration from the strip worn by Peter Withe and Co in the 1982 European Cup triumph.

Villa said: "Inspired by the 1982 kit worn in De Kuip, when a Peter Withe goal won the European Cup, the Aston Villa 2018-19 Away Shirt has a white design with claret detailing."

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(Image: avfc.co.uk)

The goalkeeper home shirt is green and yellow and has a distinctly 'Brazilian' feel to it.

Villa said: "Strength, speed and confidence in net. The Aston Villa 2018-19 Home Goalkeeper Shirt is designed for the keeper to stand out, letting the opposition know they’re stepping in to his domain.

"The “green giant” inspired design uses a sublimated Dynamic V graphic developed to give the upper body the illusion of elongation, enforcing presence and authority over the keeper’s six yard box."

(Image: avfc.co.uk)

Luke Organ, the club’s Chief Commercial Officer, said: “We’ve been very proud to pioneer the three-way technical partnership alongside Luke 1977 and Fanatics, which has helped us increase the creative input opportunities with the new kits.

“We’ve essentially taken back control of the look and feel and listened strongly to fan sentiment – and we’re delighted with the finished products.

“The three-way technical partnership is a groundbreaking move within sport, it’s a true collaboration and has helped us deliver the very best product for our fans as we draw on the huge and very distinctive strengths of Luke 1977 and Fanatics.

“If the partnership between all of us is trailblazing now, the new kits also look back fondly to our innovative past too – William McGregor and his huge role in the formation of the Football League 130 years ago. That’s something we’re immensely proud of and something we will never forget.”

Adult shirts are priced at £50 and more information can be found here.